Why Food Access Matters
Why food access matters.
As a white person who has a chronic illness, I’ve often had the attitude that I need access to fresh food, (period). At times throughout my life, I’ve spent thousands of dollars at Whole Foods and other natural food stores, to buy organic produce and other high-end specialty foods. I’ve spent enormous amounts of money on various herbs, supplements and tonics that promised to bring me health and vitality. Along my journey, I became more aware that there is a major discrepancy that exists between those who have access to fresh food and clean water and the resources to be able to support their health, and those who don’t. My own privilege became more apparent to me after I volunteered at The GrowHaus in Denver - an organization that grows food using hydroponics and provides fresh fruits and vegetables, resources, classes, and food education to the Globeville and Elyria-Swansea neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are in food deserts. A food desert is an urban area where there is a lack of access to affordable, healthy food. Coupled with limited access to quality health care and more exposure to environmental toxins, lower income and BIPOC communities across the country experience obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and other chronic illnesses at exponentially higher rates than their white counterparts. We have seen the devastating toll that this inequality has taken in black and brown communities in the wake of Covid-19, as they have been the populations most severely affected by the virus. In fact, according to the CDC the rates of infection in these communities is 4 to 5 times higher than in white communities. Because of pre-existing conditions and the reality that many BIPOC don’t have the liberty of working from home during the pandemic, the rates of contraction and mortality are much higher.
Access to fresh food, and clean water should be a basic human right. We live in a world in which large food corporations control the marketplace and have unprecedented amounts of influence and power. Their products loaded with sugar, refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats, artificial ingredients, additives and dyes, compound the problem as their products are those that are often marketed to and affordable to communities who have less access. As a result, systemic inequality is reinforced. Without health and vitality or the general state of being “well”, one has less energy, less focus, less mental capacity, and less emotional stability.
“Wellness” has in many ways been co-opted by those who are white, middle to upper-middle class, and privileged. But wellness should not be a privilege, it should be a right. We are responsible to one another; to caring for one another. To caring for our planet. To creating a safe and hospitable environment for each one of us to live and thrive in. I recently read an essay written by Charles Eisenstein titled, “The Coronation.” He writes, “Now the question arises: Initiation into what? What is the specific nature and purpose of this initiation? The popular name for the pandemic offers a clue: coronavirus. A corona is a crown. “Novel coronavirus pandemic” means “a new coronation for all.” We have an opportunity in this moment in history, to crown each person with human dignity. To move forward as a nation with honor and nobility. To provide access to healthy food, clean water, affordable health care, and a safe home environment to all people. The health of our lungs, the health of our bodies, the health of our minds, our emotions, our spirits, and our communities are at stake.